Breaking From the Past

Chapter 6: The Problem

Today is monday. I couldn't think the rest of the weekend knowing Conrad was so upset about something. I sit at my small, brown, desk catching myself looking over to Conrad's seat, waiting for him to show up.

I don't think he is coming... I rationalize. Tapping on my desk as if that will help bring him here.

"Everyone please quiet down." The teacher calls out from the front of the small classroom wanting to take attendance. Mr. Lawrence has a voice that travels, it has a low tone and is hard to miss. His appearance greatly matches his deep voice so perfectly it's hard to imagine he is a teacher instead of a drill sergeant.

The whole room fell silent, but my mind keeps bursting with thoughts of Conrad like colorful fireworks. Everyone walks to their respective seats, I notice Asha isn't here again...the third Monday in a row. I want to know why she isn't here on Monday's, it's like she is allergic to them or something. I remember when she did this at the beginning of the year. She wasn't here for about five Monday's before she was forced to come by her mom. She has been pretty good up until the past three weeks, it makes me wonder what is going on.

I sit at my desk alone, with my head resting in my chin, my eyes closed listening for the beginning of class. The bustling room, keeping me awake while I ponder the many questions that plague my once empty mind.

"Hey Zorina? Where's your little friends?" A tall, brown haired boy teased, his stark blue eyes shimmering in the rising sunlight, standing directly in front of my desk. He looks at me with his eyebrow raised and his hands placed neatly on his hips.

I don't say or do anything, ignoring him is the best thing to do. I go back to my thoughts about Conrad hoping the teasing boy would disappear, but no such luck.

"What does the boy call you? ...Rina?" He starts to laugh which only made me want to cry and hit him. I look up to him before responding loudly to his efforts to make me cry.

"Shut up!!" I yell. "You don't know him!!" I jump at my loud voice, looking around I notice people are looking at me, staring daggers. If looks could kill, I would've been dead seconds ago..

"Whoa whoa little girl, slow it down a bit would ya." He waved his hands at me telling me to calm down. His expression twists into a fierce desire to run me out of town or something. I can't take it anymore, I throw my hands down on the hard desk below me and threw out my chair as I stood up causing a scratching noise against the floor.

I abruptly leave the room without even telling the teacher where or why I am leaving. I don't even care what he says, I can't stand to be in there any longer. I run desperately down the hall in a mad dash to escape the torture of the menacing boy. I stop about halfway down the long decorated hallway before leaning my back against the wall and sliding slowly to the floor. I rock back and forth, squatting with by elbows resting on my knees, my hands covering my eyes that are now filled with tears, the stronghold keeping my tears at bay is about to burst.

"Hey, are you alright?" A mature looking freshman came up to me, putting her hand on my head to comfort me. I look up at her from my hands. She has brown hair and light blue eyes, her nose is peculiar, but it isn't bad looking. She has big square glasses that look to be the brand 'Ray Bans'. The frames are dark brown on the outside and a light green color lining the inside.

I manage to push back my tears for now. "Yeah I'm okay. Aren't you supposed to be in class?" I question, my once watery eyes turn dry. My lips in a tight line as I wait for her answer.

"Aren't you?" She smirks at me. Her light pink lips curl into the most beautiful smile I've ever seen on a girl.

"Yeah I guess you're right, I don't really want to go back though." I force a smile trying to get her to leave, not that I don't mind the company.

"Can I sit?" She points to the vacant area next me, I nod. She places herself quietly in that spot, she sits in the same position I am in, before continuing. "My name is Elizabeth, Beth is fine. And I know what you mean. I'm in a class with a bunch of seniors and they all treat me like crap." She sighs. Her premature chest rising then falling again.

A chuckle sneaks through my airway, "Sorry. I'm a senior too. We only treat you guys like that because we got treated the same way when we were freshmen. It's more or less an initiation into the school that you will be attending the next four years." I smile at her, my feelings of wanting her gone suddenly dissipate.

"Well, it's awfully mean." She states. Her expression changing from one of anger to one of a happy child. "By the way, why are you so upset?" She asks in an inviting tone.

"Oh my friend isn't here today and he seemed upset last time I saw him, so I'm worried. Plus a boy in my class was teasing me because both of my only friends aren't here today." I mumble some words under my breath.

"Oh that sounds like a problem. Have you called him?" I shake my head. "Maybe you should. It might make his day, you know." Her smile is warm and full of joy, I can't help, but smile back.

"I will, but after school. You should go back to class and so should I. We need to face our problems head on." We laughed. Beth got up first then me, she stops me as I head back to class.

"Oh wait, can I text you sometime?" She stops and turns in order to face me while she speaks.

"Oh, uh, yeah here give me a second." I find a white hall pass with teacher writing on it from a couple days ago, in my pocket and had my pencil in my hand from before I left the room. I write down my name and number for her and she takes it with a smile.

"Thanks! I'll talk to you later then." She walks into her room and so did I.

The rest of the day went smoothly, I can't complain. That boy from earlier stayed away from me and the teacher never talked to me about leaving the room so abruptly, I'm guessing Mr. Lawrence knew what was going on and talked to the kid when I left. After the bell rang, I went straight to my locker threw on my coat and grabbed my phone. I look through my contacts and find 'Connie', I tap on the number, it started to ring so I place the phone at my ear so I can hear him.

A groggy voice came from the other line, "Hello?".

It sounds like he has been sleeping for weeks.

My eyes pop open, I wasn't expecting him I answer. "Uh hi, Connie. I'm leaving school now, can I come over to your house? I have a question." I say, hoping I don't m sound too nervous. The hand holding my phone begins to get clammy as I hold onto the small piece of technology.

There was a brief silence before the voice spoke again. "Sure, I'll send you my address." He sounds agitated. "I'm sorry about the other night." His voice got lower the more he spoke, like he is trying to keep something from me.

I look at my phone then place it back at my ear looking at the time."It's ok, that's actually what I want to talk about. I'll be there in a few ok?" I smile at the phone, my cheek gently touching the screen of my iPhone 5s, hoping he could see it, even though I know he obviously can't.

"Ok." Is all he said before the call ended by his hand. The call ended so quickly, I didn't even get to say goodbye.

I wonder if I made him mad now...?

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